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Dakota Slaughter

Dakota Slaughter is an associate in the Bose McKinney & Evans Litigation Group, where he represents clients in a broad range of disputes, including commercial litigation, constitutional claims, election law, False Claims Act matters, and industry-specific litigation involving emerging sectors such as sports betting.

Dakota has developed a dynamic litigation practice focused on helping clients navigate complex disputes and achieve practical results. He is particularly skilled at drafting dispositive motions and translating complex legal issues into clear, compelling arguments. His work has contributed to favorable outcomes for clients at critical stages of litigation. In addition to his litigation practice, Dakota has assisted with investigations involving allegations of harassment and misconduct in both public and private-sector settings, providing clients with thoughtful insights to help address sensitive matters effectively.

Before joining Bose McKinney & Evans full-time, Dakota worked as a summer associate with the firm in 2021. During law school, he served as president of the Student Bar Association, publication chair of Volume 46 of the Law & Psychology Review, an advocate on the Hunton Andrews Kurth Moot Court national championship team, and a law school ambassador. He was also a member of the Bench & Bar Legal Honor Society, Moot Court Board, and Black Law Students Association.

Prior to law school, Dakota taught at Hamilton Southeastern Schools, where he also served as an assistant coach for boys’ basketball and football. In 2016, he played professional basketball in Cochabamba, Bolivia. He also played college basketball at the University of Alabama and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

A native of Fishers, Indiana, Dakota enjoys attending sporting events, exercising, exploring new restaurants, and listening to music.

Education

Appearances / Publications

Author

Dakota has been published in the Indiana Lawyer, where he has authored articles addressing mentorship in law firms, the evolution of college athlete NIL rights, and developments affecting Indiana’s legal profession, including:

Dakota also regularly contributes to the Indiana State Bar Association’s Res Gestae Civil Case Law Update, where he writes summaries of recent Indiana appellate decisions. His work has been published in the December 2024, July/August 2024, March 2024, November 2023, July 2023, and April 2023 editions.

Speaker

“Exploring Juneteenth: Historical Foundations & Legal Milestones in Indiana” — Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum CLE, June 2024

Appointments / Memberships

Admissions

Areas of Emphasis

Janika Best

Janika Best is an Associate at Eckert Seamans and a member of the firm’s Mass Tort Litigation Group and Pro-Bono Committee.

Before joining Eckert Seamans, Janika was a Litigation Associate at Connell Foley LLP and a member of the Product Liability and Tort Law, Commercial Litigation, and Franchise and Distribution Groups. In this role, she drafted pleadings, dispositive motions, and other legal documents, first chaired contested hearings, and interfaced with clients regarding case statuses.

Before joining private practice, Janika was a judicial law clerk for the Hon. Siobhan A. Teare of the Essex County Superior Court – Vicinage 5. Janika assisted in managing the criminal, civil, and family dockets, which included performing relevant legal research, analyzing applicable legal theories, and drafting official judicial decisions. This experience has been instrumental in shaping her approach as an attorney and continues to inform her commitment to providing exceptional representation and counsel to her clients.

Throughout law school, Janika actively sought opportunities to expand her legal knowledge, interning for The Hon. Karen Shreeves-Johns, a judge for the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania, and The Hon. Susan D. Wigenton, a United States District Court Judge for the District of New Jersey. Janika also interned at a state prosecutor’s office and immersed herself in the IP and Child Advocacy clinics at Rutgers Law School in Newark, further honing her skills and understanding of the legal landscape.

Before attending Rutgers Law school in Newark, Janika served as a Paralegal at the New York County District Attorney’s Office and as a Legal Assistant at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP in New York City.

Throughout her career, Janika has gained a comprehensive understanding of the legal field at every level, evolving from a legal assistant to a paralegal to an intern, a judicial law clerk, and now practicing attorney. She is also committed to the legal profession, as evidenced by her affiliations with the Garden State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Essex County Bar Association, Association of Black Women Lawyers, and New Jersey State Bar Association.

Xavier Flavien

Xavier Flavien focuses his practice on products liability, securities litigation, and False Claims Act matters. 

Prior to joining the firm, Xavier served as a law clerk to the Honorable Piper D. Griffin, Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court. He earned his Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center, where he held the role of Articles Editor for the SULC Journal of International Law, Business, and Policy, and also served as a teaching assistant. Xavier received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Southeastern Louisiana University.

Litigation Focus

Clerkships

Education

Recognitions

Bar Admissions

Aaron Abram

Aaron B. Abram is an associate attorney with the Ferguson Law Firm, bringing a wealth of leadership, advocacy, and strategic experience from his time at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. During law school, Mr. Abram distinguished himself as a dynamic leader, serving as both 1L and 2L Class President before being elected Student Bar Association President. In that role, he acted as a vital liaison between students and faculty, representing the student body on key governance matters.

An accomplished oral and written advocate, Mr. Abram served as Senior Editor of the Thurgood Marshall Law Review and competed on the Mock Trial team. His advocacy prowess is evidenced by victories in the Helen Dawn Williams Mock Trial Competition, the Sports Negotiation Competition, and the Great Debate Black History Month Classic, where he secured back-to-back wins. Additionally, Mr. Abram played a key role in preparing the National Trial Competition team, which advanced to the Regional Semi-Finals.

Mr. Abram's dedication to service has earned him numerous honors, including the Association of Corporate Counsel Diversity Scholarship, the Houston Lawyer Association Bar Scholarship, and the Sterling Johnson, Jr. “Just the Beginning” Pipeline Scholarship.

Before law school, Mr. Abram cultivated expertise in higher education, food and beverage operations, development, and fundraising, excelling in roles involving strategic management, marketing, and program leadership. Passionate about giving back, he has worked with various boards and nonprofits focused on youth empowerment, workplace equity, urban education, and healthcare access.

Outside the office, Mr. Abram enjoys spending time with his nieces and nephews, affectionately known as his “children,” finding joy and balance in family life.

Kiki Okpala